Unfortunately, the relations between the United Kingdom and Russia have not developed in the best possible way; however, it has never been our fault. It was not we who decided to discontinue relations with the United Kingdom; it was the UK who preferred to "freeze" our bilateral contacts in various fields.
Vladimir PutinI would prefer to abandon the terminology of the past. 'Superpower' is something which we used during the cold war time. Why use it now?
Vladimir PutinThe Russian people chose democracy at the beginning of the 1990s and this was their final choice.
Vladimir PutinRussia does not want confrontation of any kind. And we will not take part in any kind of 'holy alliance.'
Vladimir PutinI see that not everyone in the West has understood that the Soviet Union has disappeared from the political map of the world and that a new country has emerged with new humanist and ideological principles at the foundation of its existence.
Vladimir PutinNext year [2017], we are going to hold a series of events there that we would like to call Russian Seasons [in Japan]. Over 40 different activities - and what is more, in different cities.
Vladimir PutinI do not know whether the Government will be able to get ready to conduct this transaction together with the management of Rosneft itself, whether the appropriate strategic investors will be found. And I believe it is about such investors that we should talk. But we are getting ready, and it is in the current year that we are planning to do this.
Vladimir Putin